Envelop-moistener.



UNITED STATES PATENT YOFFICE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 1906.

Application led August 22,1905. Serial No. 275,285.

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, BYRON M. ROGERS, a citizen of the United States,residing at WatertoWn, in the county of Jeiferson and State of New York,have invented new and useful Improvements in Envelop-Moisteners, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in envelop-inoisteners designedparticularly for coperation with any desired type of sealing-machine.

The main object of the present invention is the production of amoistener arranged for ready coperation with a sealing-machine andconstructed to include a well and a wickholder slidably connected withthe well.

The preferred details of structure of the invention will be described inthe following specification, reference being had particularly to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of amoistener constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is avertical central section of the same, and Fig. 3 is a tranverse sectionof the saine taken through the well.

Referring to the drawings, my improved moistener comprises a well 1,including a bottom 2, sides 3, and a front wall 4, the forward edge ofthe sides being preferably inclined from the vertical, whereby to reducethe Width of the upper end of the Well, as clearly shown in thedrawings.

The well proper, including the bottom, sides, and front wall, may, ifdesired, be formed from a single piece of material or from separatepieces suitably secured to provide a water-tight connection.

The rear vertical edges of the side walls 3 are inwardly bent to provideflanges 5, arranged to receive a guide or wick-plate 6, coeXtensive inwidth with the distance between the sides 3, but of a length to extend asuitable distance above the well. The side edges of the wick-plate areinwardly turned to provide lips 7, within which is secured the wick 8,said wick being equal in width to the width of the wick-plate andsupported by the lips 7 on the inner surface of said plate. The upperend of the wick preferably terminates on a line with the upper edge ofthe wickplate, while its lower edge projects within the Well proper, asshown particularly in Fig. 2. The wick-plate is preferably formed on itsouter surface with a longitudinally centrallyto provide a rib projectingforward from said wick-plate to centrally ridge the wick, as at 10. Bypreference the ridge or groove 9 eX- tends longitudinally of thewick-plate from its upper free edge to a point slightly above the wellproper.

11 represents what I term the sealingtongue, being preferably formed byextending the forward wall 4 of the well, though it is to be understoodthat, if desired, said tongue may be formed of a separate piece ofmaterial. In forming said tongue integral with the well, however, saidwall is projected inwardly from its upper end to overlie the upper edgesof the sides 3, thereby forming a cover 12 for the upper end of the welland projected upwardly from said cover in alinement with and normally incontact with the Wick 8 to provide the spring-tongue 11. The uppercorners of the spring-tongue are bent outwardly at 13 to provide for theready insertion of the envelop-flap.

By preference the well 1 is arranged to contain a mass of absorbentmaterial 14, which is in direct contact with the lower end of the wick,as shown in Fig. 2. A filling-opening 15 is formed at the junction ofthe tongue 11 and the cover l2, whereby the absorbent material 14 may besaturated when desired.

In use the envelop-sealing flap is passed between the tongue 11 and thewick 8, being moistened by contact with the wick, the rib 10 in said wick insuring the application of sufficient moisture to the adhesivematerial of the flap, it being understood that the tongue 11 bears withmore or less tension against the said rib.

The moistener described is adapted for hand use, in which event aplurality of envelops are arranged with their sealing-flaps properlypositioned, and the moistener grasping the hand is rapidly passedlengthwise the sealing-iiap of its successive envelop.

It is to be understood that I also contemplate the moistener as anaddition to and for IOO cooperation with any desired type of sealjarranged indentation or groove 9, whereby forming the rear wall ofthetank.

IIO

2. A moistener comprising a well, a wiekplate slidably connectedtherewith and forming the rear wall of the well, a Wick removablyConnected with said wick-plate and depending within the Well, and aspring-tongue proj eating above the well and bearing against said wick.

3. A moistener comprising a well, a wickplate slidably connectedtherewith and forming the rear wall of the well, awiol removablyconnected with said wick-plate and depend- Y ing within the well, and aspring-tongue projeoting above the well and bearing against said Wick,said spring-tongue being formed integral with the front wall of thewell.

4. A moistener comprising a well, a wiekplate slidably connected withthe well and forming the rear wall thereof, said wick-plate being formedWith a projecting rib, awiek removablyseeured to said wick-plate andoverlying said rib, and a spring-tongue formed integral with the welland contacting with the wick.

5. A moistener comprising a Well open at its rear side, the side Wallsof the Well being inwardly turned to provide flanges, a wiekplateslidably engaging said flanges and elosing the rear side of the well,said wick-plate being formed with inturned lips, a wick secured by saidlips, and a sprngtongue formed integral with the well and contactingwith said Wick, the free Corners of said tongue being outwardly turned.

6. A moistener comprising a well open at its rear side, the side wallsof the well being inwardly turned to provide iianges, a Wiekplateslidably engaging said flanges and closing the rear side of the well,said wick-plate being formed with inturned lips, a wick secured by saidlips, a spring-tongue formed integral with the well and contacting withsaid wick, the free Corners of said tongue being outwardly turned, saidWell being formed with a filling-opening, and a mass of absorbentmaterial within the well.

In testimony whereof I aIiX my signature Y in presence of tWo witnesses.

BYRON M. ROGERS.

Witnesses:

LE RoY L. LUTHER, E. M. SMITH.

